Service to others is a vital hallmark of any upstanding human being. There are countless methods to invest in our communities, though it is often characterized in the form of donations and volunteer work. While it frequently lacks financial reward, any service to others, no matter its shape, should bring fulfillment and exuberance --sentiments immensely more potent than any fiscal greed-- to the donor and recipient. Following this concept, the most robust way to invest in one's community is by providing efforts in areas of individual passion, as someone engaging in an enjoyable field will inspire greater motivation and more effective undertakings than tolling through cliche philanthropy. This philosophy is demonstrated through the nature of my volunteer and service efforts. I've long maintained the thought that family is the utmost important aspect of any person's life. Personally, my closest bonds are with those of my parents, grandparents, and siblings, all of whom I possess a symbiotic relationship of support and affection. With this innate compassion for family, I've always been drawn to the Toys for Tots charity project. "Toys for Tots" allows me to engage and build a personal connection with both parents and children. The relationship I developed with those families is why I return with donations and volunteer every Christmas. When reflecting on the countless memories of joy my parents have bestowed on me, helping parents supply their children with that jubilation, allowing those kids to have wonderful holidays and fond memories that I deeply cherish, creates a genuine sense of awe and inspiration. I've worked with "Toys for Tots" the entirety of my high school career, allowing this program to influence me from an early age. It is through these projects, seeing parents overcome by tears of joy, that I discovered the fulfillment that comes with fostering the happiness of others. A desire sprouted within my soul, cultivating a servant's heart, aspiring towards selfless aid before selfish indulgence. This volunteer-oriented gratification fostered a burning desire for mentorship and servant leadership, as I've embraced the roles of coach, confidant, and counselor amongst my peers within various organizations, classrooms, churches, and communities. Community service can truly come through an infinite quantity of acts, not bound to a single task or passion. From tutoring sessions, book readings, and daycare management, to mission trips, soup kitchens, and city clean-ups, opportunities to serve one's society is boundless. All that's needed is the heart, inclination, and exhilaration to leave that positive impact on the community.

Without a doubt, my favorite and most impactful Taylor Swift song of all time, let alone the “1989” album, is “Shake it Off”. This song has become a touching reminder of love across my family. While many will choose their favorite Swift song based on their personal preference for the piece or it’s cultural impact on American music and hip hop culture, my connection to “Shake it Off” runs much deeper, which stems from an extremely difficult moment in my life. In 2021, I was just beginning my Sophomore year of High School. Being my first kinda-normal high school year following my Covid-induced hybrid-style freshman year, I was uncontrollably excited. I’d spent months working on my musicianship and athleticism for the upcoming marching season and soccer season. As the school year approached, I began to earn solos in my school’s marching show and I started pushing my family to attend the season’s first football game to watch and support me. All my relatives were very proud and encouraging, but none more so than my Uncle Steven. He was always willing to come to my events and always made our conversations come back to how proud he was of me. He was undoubtedly one of the biggest advocates and examples I had in my musical life. In the weeks leading up to the first game, though, he contracted Covid. The virus attacked him quick and violently, but he always managed to maintain a cheery smile and upright attitude. Falling bedridden, he confessed that he wouldn’t be able to make the game, but assured me he would make as many as he could that season. On the night of that first game, I performed passionately and nailed my solo, and my friends and family congratulated me all night. I was so excited and proud of myself, feeling nearly invincible that night. But that all came crashing down soon after. With my lungs out of breath and my voice hoarse from screaming all night, I found my family in a half-joyous, half-burned out state. Still filled with excitement and pride, I was shocked and confused by the depressed, dumbfounded looks on my family’s faces. When I reached them the first thing they did, was tell me that my Uncle Steven had died during the game. To this day, I’m still lost for words when remembering that moment. Needless to say, I was heartbroken and endured the quietest, saddest, yet most unrestful car ride of my life. We held his funeral the following week. The church was of course a distraught environment, but the funeral truly captured his fun-loving, happy-go-lucky, generous, considerate lifestyle. He was buried in his daughter’s favorite green lantern t-shirt. The slideshow projected on the walls featured photos of long car rides, missions trips, his love loving family, and “Shrek” references. His pallbearer were selected at the funeral by a drawing. Absolutely everything embodied his outgoing, loving life. After all the remarks and process of the funeral was over people began to get up and consoled each other, but before anyone reached anybody, Uncle Steven’s closing song started playing. It was his daughter’s favorite song to sing along with him, “Shake it Off” by Taylor Swift. The song caused an eruption of laughter across the church, giving my uncle one last chance to make others laugh and more cheerful. Ever since then, “Shake it Off” has always reminded of the love and joy my uncle embodied. With that, “Shake it Off” is undoubtedly my favorite and most impactful song from Taylor Swift.